Spotlight on a NYFA Doctor: Amy Kisch

“An artist needs to take an active role in defining their goals”

NYFA is pleased to welcome back consultant, Amy Kisch, Founder and CEO of AKArt,  who will be joining us for the next Doctor’s Hours: Distance Consultations on Tuesday, January 13 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM EST.

We asked Amy for her advice to artists navigating the art world, and she gave three main points to focus on:

1. An artist needs to take an active role in defining their goals and definitions of success—both short-term, mid-term, and long-term. For some, success may mean sales, for others museum shows, for others visibility at art fairs, while others placement in particular collections, in addition to other countless measures. While in an ideal world, you would have all of these, you will often need to prioritize which, if you had to choose, is most important at a given point in time—to appropriately galvanize efforts and energies towards actualization of them. 
   
2. Contracts, contracts, contracts. While often an artist may feel hesitant to request a contract or written agreement—whether it be for a consignment, sale, or hiring marketing or PR specialists—a written record of all participants’ terms, needs, and desires are essential to ensure that everyone is on the same page, to clarify any misunderstandings up front, and to honor mutual agreements. If a gallery, dealer, consultant, etc. is reluctant to commit an agreement to writing—even if only in the form of an email—be very wary. There are some great resources from which to obtain templates of contracts, including Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts and NYFA.
3. It takes a village to create success of any measure—whether in helping you to cultivate viewers, buyers, or recognition. Never forget that countless curators, gallery directors + staff, patrons, press, sponsors, friends, and family have supported you—in big and small ways—to help you pursue your creative vision. Each has invested time, energy, and faith in you, to support you, collaborate with you, or work for you, to obtain your goals. Keeping gratitude, appreciation, and recognition for their roles in your success front of mind is important.

Registration is open for an individual consultation via Skype with Amy on Tuesday, January 13. 

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